有理无情
yǒu​lǐ​wú​qíng

principled but heartless

有理无情 有理無情 yǒu​lǐ​wú​qíng
principled but heartless
to act strictly on the basis of logic or principle while ignoring personal relationships or feelings; to be fair yet showing no mercy or being unreasonably stiff
helplessly harsh
to be in a situation where rules are applied correctly but feel unavoidably cold or leaving one without recourse